Of all of the teams which qualified for a bowl game late in the regular season, none provided a feel good story quite like the Virginia Tech Hokies. Sure, this hasn’t been the best season Frank Beamer has ever had in Blacksburg, but his team rallied around his retirement announcement to reach a bowl game, and that's going to make the Independence Bowl an emotional farewell for one of the best coaches the sport has ever seen.
College Football Odds at BookMaker.eu
Tulsa Golden Hurricane +14
Virginia Tech Hokies -14
Over/Under 62
ODDS ANALYSIS
Is the difference between Tulsa and Virginia Tech really two full touchdowns? It sure seems that the reason this spread is so high is because of Beamer's retirement more than anything else.
Bettors have pushed this number down to 13.5 already, while the total has dipped just a bit from 62 to 61.5.
KEY MISMATCH
Virginia Tech loves to run the ball. Tulsa hates to defend against it.
The Golden Hurricane have been atrocious this year against all sorts of rushing attacks. Power running games and spread running games alike have wrecked this side, as they're allowing 238.6 rushing yards per game and a lofty 5.2 yards per carry.
The Hokies don't have the greatest rushing game ever, but the passing game badly needs the help of Travon McMillan at tailback. He's a force to be reckoned with after carrying the ball for 961 yards and five TDs this year, and we suspect he'll have a big Independence Bowl in this one.
KEY STAT
50.0 – The number of points per game the Golden Hurricane allowed this year against teams which went on to become bowl eligible. The only team still playing in December to score fewer than 30 against this team was New Mexico.
BETTING ANGLE
In a related story, the over went 4-2 in the six games which Tulsa played this year against bowl eligible teams. What's notable is that the two games which didn't clear the total still featured 61 and 62 points respectively.
The Golden Hurricane didn't play a single game to fewer than 47 total points this year.
In contrast, Virginia Tech only played one game which got into the 60s from the start of October on, that being a 45-43 loss to Duke in a game which was aided by 40 points in overtime.
ANALYSIS AND ODDS PREDICTION
This is a real contrast of styles here. If Virginia Tech has enough answers defensively to slow down the underrated Dane Evans at quarterback, it will win this game. If not though, this could end up being a war.
We have a tough time forecasting Beamer's last stand being a loss. You know that every trick in the book he's never pulled out is going to be exhausted in this game on both sides of the ball, and his players are going to be flying all over the field.
That said, many believe Tulsa is overmatched in this game, and we don't see it. Sure, the Golden Hurricane allow a slew of points, but D'Angelo Brewer and Zach Langer can keep the ball moving on the ground, and Evans is a vet who knows what it's like to play in games like this.
We expect the Independence Bowl to be a tight and entertaining game.
Virginia Tech 33, Tulsa 27
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